Author: Oliver Wendell Holmes
In poisonous dens, where traitors hide Like bats that fear the day, While all the land our charters claim Is sweating blood and breathing flame, Dead to their country's woe and shame, The recreants whisper STAY! In peaceful homes, where patriot fires On Love's own altars glow, The mother hides her trembling fear, The wife, the sister, checks a tear, To breathe the parting word of cheer, Soldier of Freedom, Go! In halls where Luxury lies at ease, And Mammon keeps his state, Where flatterers fawn and menials crouch, The dreamer, startled from his couch, Wrings a few counters from his pouch, And murmurs faintly WAIT! In weary camps, on trampled plains That ring with fife and drum, The battling host, whose harness gleams Along the crimson-flowing streams, Calls, like a warning voice in dreams, We want you, Brother! COME! Choose ye whose bidding ye will do, - To go, to wait, to stay! Sons of the Freedom-loving town, Heirs of the Fathers' old renown, The servile yoke, the civic crown, Await your choice To-DAY! The stake is laid! O gallant youth With yet unsilvered brow, If Heaven should lose and Hell should win, On whom shall lie the mortal sin, That cries aloud, It might have been? God calls you - answer NOW. 1862.
Type of Poem: Narrative Poem
Date Written:
Date Published:
Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Publisher:
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Comments/Notes: This poem presents a searing critique of societal divisions and a passionate call to action during a time of national crisis. Written in 1862, it is likely a commentary on the American Civil War, drawing attention to the stark contrasts of the period: those who hide in fear versus those who bravely fight for freedom; the apathetic rich versus the engaged poor; the comfort of home versus the harshness of the battlefield.
The poet uses vivid imagery and powerful metaphorical language to convey these themes. The first stanza, with its images of bats hiding in poisonous dens, sets a tone of fear and deceit that contrasts sharply with the "patriot fires" and "Love's own altars" of the second stanza. The poet's use of capitalized imperatives - STAY, GO, WAIT, COME, NOW - adds emphasis to the urgency and importance of the choices being made. The final stanza underscores the gravity of the situation with the stark image of a stake being laid, suggesting a gamble or sacrifice of enormous consequence.
The structure of the poem, with its regular rhythm and rhyme scheme, creates a sense of order amidst the chaos and conflict it depicts. This structural formality serves to underscore the seriousness of the poem's message. Yet, the language remains accessible - the poet's aim is clearly to engage a broad audience, to stir them to thought and action. The poem is a call to arms, not just in a literal sense, but in a moral and civic sense, urging its readers to choose their path wisely, with a full understanding of the consequences of their actions. The poem ends not with a conclusion, but with a command: "God calls you - answer NOW." This call to immediate action serves as a compelling and thought-provoking conclusion to this powerful piece.
Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.
Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:
From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.